Point Cabrillo Light
Encyclopedia
Point Cabrillo Light is a lighthouse
in northern California
, United States
, between Point Arena and Cape Mendocino
, just south of the community of Caspar
. It should not be confused with the Point Loma Lighthouse
, in San Diego, California, which lies within Cabrillo National Monument
and is also sometimes called the Cabrillo lighthouse.
, although Cabrillo's voyage of exploration along the California coast did not reach as far north as the point.
Point Cabrillo Lighthouse was established in 1909, displaying a 3rd Order Standard Lens and Air Sirens. It is located about 1.5 miles (2.4 km) from Fort Bragg, California
. With the exception of a small barn all original buildings stand unaltered. In 1935, an air diaphone supertyfone sound signal was installed. The United States Coast Guard
manned the station until 1973, when the lens was covered and a modern rotating beacon was mounted on a metal stand on the roof west of the lantern room. In 2002, California State Parks purchased the light station for four million dollars.
The opium trading brig Frolic wrecked near Point Cabrillo Light in 1850. The wreckage was rediscovered in 1984 and was the subject of a 2003 episode of the History Channel series Deep Sea Detectives
entitled "Gold Rush Disaster: The Frolic" .
In 1991 the light station was added to the National Register of Historic Places
.
A hiking trail, part of the California Coastal Trail
, was established in 2011 and connects the light station to Caspar Headlands State Beach
one mile to the north.
The Point Cabrillo Light is one of 70 state parks slated for closure in 2012 due to state budget cuts.
Lighthouse
A lighthouse is a tower, building, or other type of structure designed to emit light from a system of lamps and lenses or, in older times, from a fire, and used as an aid to navigation for maritime pilots at sea or on inland waterways....
in northern California
California
California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
, United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
, between Point Arena and Cape Mendocino
Cape Mendocino
Cape Mendocino located on the Lost Coast entirely within Humboldt County, California, USA, is the westernmost point on the coast of California. It has been a landmark since the 16th century when the Manila Galleons would reach the coast here following the prevailing westerlies all the way across...
, just south of the community of Caspar
Caspar, California
Caspar is a census-designated place in Mendocino County, California. It is located north of Mendocino, at an elevation of 82 feet . Caspar is located on the Pacific Ocean. In the Caspar area is the historic Point Cabrillo Light Station, which was built in 1909...
. It should not be confused with the Point Loma Lighthouse
Point Loma Lighthouse (old)
The original Point Loma Lighthouse was built on top of Point Loma at the mouth of San Diego Bay in San Diego, California. It is situated in the Cabrillo National Monument.-History:...
, in San Diego, California, which lies within Cabrillo National Monument
Cabrillo National Monument
Cabrillo National Monument is located at the southern tip of the Point Loma Peninsula in San Diego, California. It commemorates the landing of Juan Rodríguez Cabrillo at San Diego Bay on September 28, 1542. This event marked the first time that a European expedition had set foot on what later...
and is also sometimes called the Cabrillo lighthouse.
History
Point Cabrillo is named after the Spanish explorer Juan Rodríguez CabrilloJuan Rodríguez Cabrillo
Juan Rodriguez Cabrillo was a Portuguese explorer noted for his exploration of the west coast of North America on behalf of Spain. Cabrillo was the first European explorer to navigate the coast of present day California in the United States...
, although Cabrillo's voyage of exploration along the California coast did not reach as far north as the point.
Fort Bragg, California
Fort Bragg is a city located in coastal Mendocino County, California along State Route 1, the major north-south highway along the Pacific Coast. Fort Bragg is located west of Willits, at an elevation of 85 feet...
. With the exception of a small barn all original buildings stand unaltered. In 1935, an air diaphone supertyfone sound signal was installed. The United States Coast Guard
United States Coast Guard
The United States Coast Guard is a branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the seven U.S. uniformed services. The Coast Guard is a maritime, military, multi-mission service unique among the military branches for having a maritime law enforcement mission and a federal regulatory agency...
manned the station until 1973, when the lens was covered and a modern rotating beacon was mounted on a metal stand on the roof west of the lantern room. In 2002, California State Parks purchased the light station for four million dollars.
The opium trading brig Frolic wrecked near Point Cabrillo Light in 1850. The wreckage was rediscovered in 1984 and was the subject of a 2003 episode of the History Channel series Deep Sea Detectives
Deep Sea Detectives
Deep Sea Detectives is a television show on The History Channel. The show began airing in 2003.In a post dated September 1, 2006 on the Deep Sea Detectives message board, series producer Kirk Wolfinger stated that the show would not be renewed for another season.- External links :* *...
entitled "Gold Rush Disaster: The Frolic" .
In 1991 the light station was added to the National Register of Historic Places
National Register of Historic Places
The National Register of Historic Places is the United States government's official list of districts, sites, buildings, structures, and objects deemed worthy of preservation...
.
A hiking trail, part of the California Coastal Trail
California Coastal Trail
The California Coastal Trail, or CCT, is an environmental project adopted by the California Coastal Conservancy, an organization developed with the purpose of enhancing coastal resources and providing access to the shore, in 2001. The trail is designed to connect the entire coast of California by...
, was established in 2011 and connects the light station to Caspar Headlands State Beach
Caspar Headlands State Beach
Caspar Headlands State Beach is a protected beach in the state park system of California, USA. It is located in Northern California in Mendocino County near the village of Caspar. The park was established in 1972.-History:...
one mile to the north.
The Point Cabrillo Light is one of 70 state parks slated for closure in 2012 due to state budget cuts.
External links
- Point Cabrillo Lighthouse and Preserve.
- Point Cabrillo Light Station. Official California State Parks page.
- Lighthouse Friends: Point Cabrillo
- Lighthouse Inn at Point Cabrillo. Non-profit bed and breakfast that supports the Lighthouse restoration efforts.